Aatrox/Trivia

General

• Aatrox is voiced by Erik Ireland ^[1].
• Aatrox, Dr. Mundo, Mordekaiser, Vladimir, and Zac are the only champions that use their own health as a resource for abilities.
• Aatrox glides when having high movement speed.
• Massacre's activation can be faintly heard anywhere on the map, with the voices speaking while active being Aatrox's voice-over lines played in reverse.
  • Enemies hit by Massacre will leave a blood trail between themselves and Aatrox that he will rapidly absorb (this is a remaining visual effect from PBE testing, where Aatrox would gain attack speed based on how many enemies had been hit by Massacre, that was recycled in V5.6)
• Aatrox can still use emotes during Blood Well's revive.
• Aatrox's backstory references well-known war deities: especially Greek Ares, Mesopotamian Nergal, Semitic Resheph, etc..
• Aatrox is a word play on Latin atrox "fierce, savage, cruel" in turn from ater "dull black, dark", from root PIE *h₂eh₁ter- "fire";^[2] all referencing the Darkin weapon's physical manifestation and demonic nature (punning on dark kin), various historical fire-based weapons, the scorched earth strategy, and his 'war as an artform' philosophy. Latin atrox gives rise to Anglo-French atrocity.
  • In-universe, Aatrox is likely the closest humans' pronunciation of the Darkin's real-name, whose meaning remains unknown.
• Sterak's Gage seems too be Aatrox's missing left arm glove. Its passive is also coincidentally similar to Aatrox's.

Quotes

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  "Rage against the dying of the light" references Do not go gentle into that good night by Dylan Thomas.
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  "I know what lurks in the hearts of man" references The Shadow by Walter B. Gibson ("Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows... ")
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  "Peace is the greatest lie of all" might be referencing the Code of the Sith from Star Wars ("Peace is a lie, there is only passion... ")
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  "Even those who have nothing can give their lives" might be referencing Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War.
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  "Pain is temporary, victory is forever" references "Pain is temporary, pride is forever".
• Most of his taunts reference "You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain".

Skins

Classic Aatrox [S|L]

• He was partially inspired by the Balrog and Sauron (both from The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.
• His appearance was inspired by Amon from the manga and anime series Devilman.
  • The method in which Darkin possess human bodies is similar to how Demons possess humans in Devilman. Humans in both instances can also overpower the demon/darkin and use their power as their own.
• His blade references the Soul Reaver from Legacy of Kain and/or the Stormbringer from Elric of Melniboné by Michael Moorcock.
  • Blood Thirst's charged sound effect references the Spirit Reaver from Legacy of Kain: Defiance.

Justicar Aatrox [S|L]

• This is him depicted as a hero by the people he fought with and rescued from impending defeat.
• He shares this theme with:
  • Justicar Syndra [S|L]

Mecha Aatrox [S|L]
Chromas: Obsidian, Pearl, Tan

• He is right-handed in the artwork but left-handed in-game.
• He is referencing Gipsy Danger from Pacific Rim.
  • Him being designated 'Prototype 13' might be referencing Evangelion 13 from Neon Genesis Evangelion.
  • Rumble can be seen in the background (possibly his creator)
• During his Recall, he transforms into a jet aircraft that references Thundercracker and/or Starscream from Transformers
• He shares this theme with:
  • Mecha Kha'Zix [S|L]
  • Mecha Malphite [S|L]
  • Mecha Rengar [S|L]
  • Mecha Zero Sion [S|L]

Sea Hunter Aatrox [S|L]

• His head references a hammerhead shark.
• He resembles Maccus from Pirates of the Caribbean.
• He shares this theme with:
  • Rogue Admiral Garen [S|L]
  • Ironside Malphite [S|L]
    • The wooden gate in the old splash art [S|L] that he and the others were surrounding was the one containing Ironside Malphite [S|L] before his release.
  • Corsair Quinn [S|L]

Relations

• Aatrox is actually the Darkin once imprisoned in the sword. Aatrox' current body belongs to the thoroughly corrupt human wielder.[1]
  • Tryndamere is suspected to have been chosen as Aatrox's new host, the attack on his village to serve as proof of his worth ("Tryndamere, my greatest creation") and Demonblade Tryndamere [S|L] as the potential end result of merging unhinged bloodlust and unbridled rage into a single vessel ("This one's rage will shape the world")

References

References